Wednesday, August 27
9:00am-3:00pm
We are excited to welcome you to this year’s Connect Retreats! On August 27, the third full day of school, all students will participate in a Connect Retreat, a day-long experience built around growing teacher and student relationships to promote moments of connection and belonging.
Vision
Freshmen: Show Up
Freshman will spend a morning on Wheaton Academy’s campus being challenged to SHOW UP this school year – stepping into high school by trying something new and contributing to the school community with their presence.
Sophomores: Step Up
Sophomores will spend the morning on Wheaton Academy’s campus being called to STEP UP – to understand that even as second-year students, they are culture shapers and have more influence than they realize.
Juniors: Rise Up
Juniors will spend the morning at Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles, learning about what it looks like to RISE UP into leadership and influence roles as upperclassmen.
Seniors: Own Up
Seniors will also spend time at Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles, embracing the call to OWN UP their final year in high school, exerting ownership of school culture and the importance of being a leader worth following. They will also spend time at UrbanAir in St. Charles.
All School: Look Up
After a morning of class-specific activity, the entire student body will reconvene back to Wheaton Academy’s campus for an all-school lunch. After lunch, students will conclude the Connect Retreats with all school worship and prayer chapel in the FAC. Our students will be challenged to LOOK UP and fix our eyes on Jesus as we prepare our hearts for the school year.
Logistics
Attire: Students will be active throughout the day and are therefore encouraged to wear athletic, retreat attire, adhering to WA’s dress code standards (no leggings, no midriff, no rips in pants).
Lunch: A complimentary hamburger and hotdog picnic lunch will be provided for all students, as well as snacks and water throughout the day. Students are welcome to bring their own water bottles.
Forms: Freshmen and sophomores will be participating in an obstacle course provided by Grit ‘N Wit. You can find the permission slip HERE and must be completed before students may participate. Seniors will be attending Urban Air trampoline park which requires a permission slip/waiver as well. Permission slips/waivers can be found HERE and must be completed before students may participate.
Phones: We will honor our cell phone policy; therefore students will have limited access to phones throughout the day.
Arrival at 9:00am:
- Freshman parents, please drop off your student in the Central Lot and direct them to the Field House Building for registration.
- Sophomore parents, please drop off your student at drop zone in front of the Student Union and direct them to the Fine Arts Center Building for registration.
- Juniors and Seniors should meet at the Pottawatomie Parking Lot (the one closest to the Swanson Pool): 8 North Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174 and find the registration table.
- Transportation: It is our hope that students will be able to transport themselves to the park—independently, with friends, or with parents. To maximize available parking, we encourage students to carpool. If your student needs assistance with transportation, please complete this form and our faculty + staff will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Pick-Up at 3:00pm: All students will be ready for pick-up at Wheaton Academy when the Connect Retreats conclude at 3:00pm.
Schedule
Freshmen
8:00am: Arrive on Wheaton Academy Campus and head to the Field House
8:15am: Sessions + activities around “Show Up”
9:00-10:30am: Obstacle Course on Performance Trust Field
11:00am: Photo Scavenger Hunt competition
11:30am: Tech Training + Team Building using Dell Latitude Computers (please bring)
12:30pm: All School Assembly in the Fine Arts Center
1:00pm: All School Picnic + Games
2:15pm: All School Worship Service
2:45pm: Celebration
Sophomores
8:00am: Arrive on Wheaton Academy Campus and head to the Fine Arts Center
8:15am: Vision around “Step Up”
9:30am: Photo Scavenger Hunt competition and art project
10:30am: Obstacle Course on Performance Trust Field
12:30pm: All School Assembly in the Fine Arts Center
1:00pm: All School Picnic + Games
2:15pm: All School Worship Service
2:45pm: Celebration
Juniors
8:00am: Arrive at Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles + Check in activities
8:30am: Vision around “Rise Up”
9:00am: Station Rotations including athletic activities and reflection
10:00am: Rotations including Riverboat Cruise, capture the flag, and creative activities
12:00pm: Return to Wheaton Academy
12:30pm: All School Assembly in the Fine Arts Center
1:00pm: All School Picnic + Games
2:15pm: All School Worship Service
2:45pm: Celebration
Seniors
8:00am: Arrive at Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles + Check in activities
8:30am: Vision around “Own Up”
9:00am: Station Rotations including athletic activities and reflection
10:00am: Activities at Urban Air Trampoline Park in St. Charles
12:00pm: Return to Wheaton Academy
12:30pm: All School Assembly in the Fine Arts Center
1:00pm: All School Picnic + Games
2:15pm: All School Worship Service
2:45pm: Celebration